HEPATIC EXTRACTION OF HYALURONIC-ACID IN PORCINE PERITONITIS

The hepatic extraction of hyaluronic acid (HA) was studied in porcine fecal peritonitis in two groups of animals given various amounts of vo lume substitution. There was a progressive decrease in hepatic blood f low (Q(H)) and a corresponding increase in the plasma concentration of HA in arterial blood over a 5-hour observation period, less pronounce d in animals given more volume substitution. While hepatic clearance o f HA decreased, the extraction ratio over the liver was not altered. T he extracted amount of HA, which at steady state reflects the turnover of HA, was also unchanged. There was a significant correlation betwee n Q(H) and arterial HA concentration (r = 0.57; p < 0.05). The data su ggest that the arterial HA concentration in sepsis reflects Q(H) rathe r than an altered ability of the liver to eliminate HA.